Examination Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for an examination apparatus that includes a manually movable structure having a first movement from a free state to a compressed state and a second reversing movement from the compressed state to the free state. Also included is a plurality of fingers that are disposed adjacent to the structure. The fingers having a stowed state and an open state, the stowed state having a nested relationship between the fingers to reduce a silhouette profile size. In moving from the stowed state to the open state of the plurality of fingers requires a selected sequential movement of each the fingers to proceed from the nested relationship to the open state that is accommodated by an assemblage for moving the fingers sequentially utilizing the manually operated structure, wherein the fingers are moved from the stowed state to the open state and reversed manually.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation patent application having no new matter relatedto and claiming priority from pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/146,426 filed on Jun. 25, 2008 by Howard Steven Rosen of Denver,Colo., U.S. for the purpose of an accompanying an AcceleratedExamination petition under USPTO form PTOSB28 being solely to put thecurrent continuation patent application claims in compliance with theAccelerated Examination petition requirements.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for examining aresilient cavity. More particularly, the present invention is anapparatus that manually penetrates into and expands the resilient cavitya manually selected amount for examination with the apparatus having theability to be selectively manually retracted and manually withdrawn fromthe cavity.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Apparatus for resilient cavity inspection or examination have beenwell-documented in the prior art, especially in the area of humanmedical apparatus for examination of body cavities. Looking inparticular at surgical retractors that can also be termed speculumapparatus that are employed for the use of gynecological examinationsthe following general analysis of the speculum arts is given. Speculum'sgenerally have blades shaped as extension fingers that are movablebetween a closed state and an open state, wherein the blades aretypically formed as an elongated spoon shaped extension finger with onefinger typically nesting within another finger in the closed state for amore streamlined penetration for insertion into the body cavity. Oncethe speculum is inserted into the body cavity, the speculum is thenmanually moved from the closed state to the open state, resulting in thesubsequent spreading of some or all of the fingers to physically expandthe body cavity for examination. As is the typical case for the majorityof prior art speculums, the speculum fingers are pivotally connected atone end and are free on the other hand in a cantilevered typeconfiguration.

The primary objective in the speculum's use is to allow the serviceprovider examining the patient's body cavity or as typically the case avagina, for the service provider to have a full and clear of view aspossible of the area disposed within the cavity while also having asfree and open access as possible around and through the speculum itselfwith the speculum acting to obfuscate or block the service provider'sview or access in a minimal manner. In focusing upon the speculumspivotally connected fingers there exists an undesirable limitation inthe service provider's viewing field of the body cavity and that thepivotal connection is fixed in its physical size adjacent to the pivotalaxis of movement and does not allow for an increased field of vision asthe fingers are manually expanded outward, i.e. in going from the closedstate to the open state. In fact there could be some additionalrestriction of the service provider's view and access to the body cavitywhen the speculum fingers are moved from the closed state to the openstate due to the fingers possibly pivoting inward on their end oppositeof their cantilever end.

Focusing in particular on the vagina speculum which in the past has beenprimarily used to visualize the cervix and vagina walls in addition togaining access to the uterus. As previously mentioned there isnon-optimal limitation on a portion of the prior art speculums as to thepivotal connection of the fingers restricting the service provider'sview and access to the interior of the vagina and in particular thevaginal wall structure. The vaginal wall structure poses a particularproblem for service provider examination in that the vaginal wallstructure is comprised of soft, somewhat unsupported, and fatty tissuethat is difficult to control in the speculum structurally supporting thevaginal wall apart from itself somewhat resembling soft bread dough.This results in the speculum fingers opening up against the vagina wallsin going from the closed state to the open state wherein the vaginalwall tissue surrounding the finger tends to collapse around the fingerdue to its lack of support stiffness resulting in a further hampering ofthe service provider's view of the inside wall vagina. This problem ofthe vaginal wall collapsing around the finger is especially prevalent ifthe patient is overweight, is older in age, or has had children throughthe vaginal tract.

Furthermore, as the vagina wall collapses around the finger, thereaction may be that the examining service provider is motivated to openthe fingers to an even greater distance apart to gain a better visual ofthe cervix. However, this may be a self defeating effort as thepreviously mentioned problem of the vagina wall collapsing around thefinger becomes even more acute as the figures are moved a furtherdistance part, thus there is very little to be gained upon moving thespeculum fingers further part to gain a better visual orientation of thevagina and cervix. Further, another problem of course is patientcomfort, as the fingers are expanded further and further apart patientdiscomfort increases due to a number of issues such as the physicaloutward force as against the stretching of the introitus, in addition tothe sliding and scraping action of the finger against the vagina wallalso causing patient discomfort, and the subsequent risk of vagina wallpinching when the fingers are retracted into their closed state ornested position in preparation for extraction or withdrawing of thespeculum from the vagina.

A number of prior art solutions have been proposed dealing with thedifferent methods of which vagina walls are expanded for visual contactand physical access by the service provider while at the same timeallowing for a minimal amount of blockage for the service provider topotentially use instruments in the vagina while at the same time beingable to visualize the nature of the examination or therapeutic procedurethat the service provider is performing. The majority of the early usespeculums had pivotally connected fingers, typically having just twofingers that simply spread apart from the depression of a thumb leverwhich usually included a mechanism to lock the fingers in a particularpivotal position state in a selectable manner by the service provider.Although simple in design and easy to use, being somewhat similar tospreader pliers tools, the early use speculum having only two fingersand a pivotal connection at one end had limited ability to enhancevisual contact of the service provider with the vagina walls due to thevagina with wall collapse as a position intermediate to the spread apartportions of the fingers, i.e. in the open state as previously described.

In addition, in the early use speculums due to the nature of the largercircumferential distance of each finger resulting in a larger area ofthe finger itself undesirably covered up larger portions of the vaginawall thus impeding visual and physical access of the service provider tothe vagina wall. Plus, the early use speculum undesirably inflictingadditional discomfort upon the patient as previously described due tothe large amount of separating movement of the fingers to each other ingoing from the closed state to the open state. More refined solutionsincluded speculum apparatus that used more than two fingers that couldbe opened in an iris aperture type of movement, wherein the fingers aremoved outwardly in typically a spiraling motion. However, the iris typeof speculum had two major drawbacks; the first drawback being that wheneach individual finger opened it moved through a circumferential type ofarc and caused a relative sliding motion as against the vagina wallcausing patient discomfort through a pinching of the vaginal wall tissuewith the second drawback of the complex mechanism with which to move thefingers. Thus this circumferential arc finger movement of the iris typespeculum can be compared to the pivotal speculum finger arrangementwherein the pivotal finger moves outwardly without circumferential arcmovement, thus resulting in less discomfort for the patient.

The complex mechanism for the iris type of speculum further causesproblems from potentially interfering with the service providers viewand access to the vagina as a speculum should accommodate an open fieldof view and physical access along a longitudinal axis parallel to thefingers in the service provider being positioned at the non-insertingend of the speculum. Continuing, in looking to the pivotal type ofspeculums that use more than two fingers, wherein the undesirablecircumferential arc movement is eliminated, again the problem of havingthree or more fingers having to have a complex mechanism usually locatedat the position where the service provider needs the maximum access andfield of view for the vagina is a drawback.

Although the multitude of speculum fingers being more than two fingerspivoting outward without circumferential arc movement for less patientdiscomfort as previously described, does positively provide for lessdistance between each finger in the open state resulting in a reducedspan of distance for the vaginal wall to droop between fingers thusgiving the service provider greater access and visualization of thevagina, in addition to the reduction in patient discomfort as thefingers do not need to be as far apart from one another as compared tothe two finger speculum. However, having more than two fingers addscomplexity to the mechanism for moving the fingers in-between the closedstate and the open state which adds size and weight to the speculum onthe end opposing the cantilevered finger portions. Thus a speculumhaving more than two fingers in generally beneficial by helping reducethe occurrence of the vagina wall collapsing from around the finger andthe resulting loss of view and access for the service provider and forreducing patient discomfort. Further, it should be noted that as thesespeculum apparatus are a manually hand held instrument; size and weightare considerations that should be desirably minimized.

Continuing, in looking at some specific examples in the prior artstarting with the typical early use type speculum, in U.S. Pat. No.5,997,474 to Batchelor disclosed is a vaginal speculum comprising twoarms hinged with one another at a point along their length and forming apair of jaws on one side of the hinge point and a pair of handles on theopposite side of the hinge point such that the jaws can be separated bysqueezing together the handles. An elongated locking member in Batcheloris pivotally mounted to one handle, with the locking member havingenough friction to hold it in position against its weight, referencecolumn 1, lines 29-33 and lines 43-46. Batchelor had added the featuresof an elongated handle for the entire hand of the service provider to beable to grip the speculum as opposed to the thumb lever that had beenpreviously employed on earlier speculums to give more opening force tothe arms and including a new design locking member to hold the arms in aselected position apart.

Similar to Batchelor in design for the spreading apart fingers and thepivotal handle arrangement, in looking at U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,466 toHsiao disclosed is a vaginal speculum that is made of metal or plasticincluding an upper and a lower jaw forming a concave profile. In Hsiao,the end part of the jaw opposite from the insertion end of the lower jawis extended, whereby a patient's secretion can be exhausted or channeledalong the extended end part for avoiding contact with the serviceprovider's hands, reference column 1, lines 43-48 and lines 56-60. Inaddition to the new secretion irrigation channel, Hsiao has a pluralityof buckling members used for locking the jaws into a selected position.In addition, in being somewhat similar to Batchelor and Hsiao, in havinga veterinary application speculum, in Ukraine patent number UA 9,393 Uto Tsymerman et al. disclosed is a vaginal speculum for examiningfemales of large animals equipped with reflector and electric lampconnected with a power supply. In Tsymerman et al., the movable handleof the upper branch is attached with the fixed handle of the lowerbranch by the retainer screw with two nuts for the locking mechanism ofthe spreadable fingers including the addition of a light adjacent to theupper finger.

Continuing further, in an example of an iris type of expanding speculum,in U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,995 to Hoftman et al. disclosed is a rotationallateral expander apparatus having multiple blades. As a typical example,four blades in Hoftman et al., are arranged so that their forcing planesare facially parallel to each other in a closed or nested position,reference column 1, lines 51-57. In Hoftman et al., specificallyreferring to FIGS. 1 to 5, it can be seen that the blades must have asliding motion as against the vaginal wall structure which can lead topatient discomfort as the vaginal wall structure can be pulled,compressed, and pinched as the blades move from their closed state totheir open state and in returning from the open state to the closedstate. Hoftman et al., has the feature of the translation of forcepstype movement into the iris type movement through a mechanism toeffectuate the blades going from the closed state to the open state inthe rotating base plate that connects to a lateral expansion of theblades that open laterally and rotationally simultaneously.

As an example of a pivotal blade speculum having more than two blades inlooking at U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,379 to Resnick disclosed is a speculumusing small “bullet shaped” diameter tips on the distal ends of theblades which may be comprised of plastic, or coated metal to reducefriction, or reduce the “cold” sensation of the patient, referencecolumn 2, lines 55-67. The Resnick speculum also has four blades toexpand the vaginal walls, with three of the blades actually havingexpanding/contracting movement in somewhat of a mechanically openmanner, having a degree of free play as between the blades and thehandle structure. Due to the larger and somewhat complex mechanism inResnick required to expand and retract three blades from a pistol griphandle, say as compared to the simple and small mechanism in Batchelorfor example, the Resnick speculum is slightly heavy and cumbersome,being an undesirable feature of a manually hand held instrument. Furtherto this in Resnick, the additional hand squeezing force required to movethree blades as compared to the prior art moving a single blade, againas in Batchelor, adds to the difficulty in using the Resnick speculum.In Resnick this would be considered a design requirement as a greatermechanical advantage mechanism, as between the compressible handgrip andblades, has been employed to a limited extent with the blade hook end16, see FIG. 1 (closed state) and FIG. 5 (open state), i.e. thetravelling ring 10 moving further from the blade pivot point sleeve 18that is upon the stationary ring 8, resulting in a greater moment arm,which is a positive. However, Resnick does not really take fulladvantage of this moment arm increase due to only a portion of thetravelling ring 10 force taking advantage to the increased moment arm asthe distance between the travelling ring 10 and the blade pivot pointsleeve 18 upon the stationary ring 8 remains substantially constant inan axis perpendicular to the force vector on the travelling ring 10 whenmoving the blades from the closed state to the open state.

A further example of a four blade speculum that addresses the mechanicalcomplexity issue for the three to four blade movement from the handgrip,is in U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,029 B1 to Hajianpour, that discloses abasically conventional early use type pivotal two blade speculum, i.e.designed for contacting the anterior and posterior vaginal wall portionsbeing similar to Batchelor, with having the addition ofattachable/removable opposing lateral blades, wherein the lateral bladesare attached and removed when the conventional portion of the speculumis in an open state by compressing as against the anterior and posteriorvaginal walls. Thus Hajianpour attempts to have the advantage of thefour blade speculum without the complexity, size, and weight of three orfour blades moving together from a handle grip, however, the compromisebeing disadvantage of the loose lateral blade pieces that have to bemanually positioned and attached and removed each time an examination isperformed. Close to Hajianpour in U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,467 B1 toMcMillian et al., is another speculum with a conventional pivotallyconnected two finger design that “adds in” two additional lateral bladesthat have their own independent thumb screw adjustment that is notconnected to the primary anterior and posterior fingers.

Another example of a four blade speculum is in U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,398B2 to Obenchain et al., that discloses the use of an extensive mechanismfor the selectable positioning of the four blades, even though Obenchainet al., has a very elaborate blade positioning arrangement, the size andweight dictate that additional support is required as the speculumcannot be supported by the body cavity or the examining serviceprovider's hand as evidenced by the desired stabilizing arm 40 inFIG. 1. A further example in the four dilator finger area is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,033 B2 to Tan that is somewhat similar to Resnickexcept that the pivotal actuator is disposed between the finger pivotpoint and the free cantilever end of the finger that is inserted intothe vagina, however, only being for the third and fourth blades,reference fingers 14 a and 14 b. In Tan, the speculum basically startswith a conventional pivotal two blade arrangement like Batchelor andthen adds the third and fourth fingers that have a subsequent pivotalcontact after the anterior and posterior fingers have started to open. Adrawback of Tan is that there is no real mechanical advantage in thedesign opening mechanism that could accommodate the additional openingforce required when the examining service provider in squeezing thehandle encounters the opening force of four fingers from two fingers.

An even further example in the four blade speculum area, in U.S. Pat.No. 5,377,667 and its continuation follow-on application in U.S. Pat.No. 5,505,690 both to Patton et al., disclosed is a speculum thatutilizes a slider plate that acts as collet in moving parallel to thespeculum finger longitudinal axis, wherein the slider plate is operableto open and close the fingers by movement along the finger longitudinalaxis. In Patton et al., although the slider does accomplish its purposein opening and closing the fingers desirably, however, the slider plateadds considerable bulk and weight to the speculum opposite of the fingercantilever ends being undesirable from a service provider's standpointplus the attendant problem of obscuring the service provider's visionand instrument access through the speculum center that is adjacent tothe finger pivotal end portions opposite of the finger cantilever ends,see in particular FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

What is needed is an examination apparatus or more particularly aspeculum that does preferably utilize more than two fingers to reduce,in the finger open state, the finger to finger span distance that allowsthe lax vaginal wall tissue to prolapse while the speculum is insertedinto the introitus of the vagina and subsequently moved to the openstate of the fingers. Also, the desirable speculum would at the sametime provide the examining service provider the maximum field of viewthrough the proximal portion of the speculum being the non-insertion endof the apparatus, plus the included feature that also equates toallowing for other instruments to be used in this field of view accessarea. Further, the desired speculum would have a mechanism toaccommodate the kinematics from the actuation structure or handle to thefinger movement that would employ a greater mechanical advantage thanwhat has been taught by the prior art for enhancing the operatingexperience of the examining service provider in requiring less hand gripstrength as a greater number of fingers, being more than two fingersthat ends up resulting in less hand fatigue for the service provider formultiple examinations that are performed in the course of the day. Inaddition, the entire apparatus would be of a minimal size and weightwhich is always a welcome feature in a hand held manually actuatedspeculum apparatus. Continuing, the speculum would be operable to helpminimize patient discomfort by the finger having little sliding typemovement as against the vaginal wall structure and having to open thefingers a minimal amount for the examining service provider to havesufficient visual and instrument access, while minimizing vaginal wallstructure prolapse between the fingers in their open state, that resultsin maximizing the visual and instrument access to the vagina from theexamining service provider through the speculum.

The vaginal wall prolapse issue is primarily due to lax vaginal walltissue tone which is fairly common and is most typically associated witha woman having natural childbirth through the vaginal tract, or elderlywomen, or obese woman. Thus currently, with use of the prior art twoblade or two finger speculum due to the aforementioned lax vaginal tone,the service provider typically has to open the fingers further apart tohave an adequate view, with this further opening or spreading of thespeculum fingers causing the patient a higher level of discomfort due tospeculum finger pressure as against the bladder and/or urethra. Thus,the desirability of having more than two speculum fingers in a minimallysized and weighted speculum that could facilitate easy one-handedoperation by the service provider would be substantially optimal byallowing the service provider to use their other hand for viewinglights, instruments, and the like. Further, the desirable speculum wouldhave as previously mentioned the degree of mechanical advantage in thehand grip to blade movement mechanism that facilitates the opening ofgreater than two fingers without the need for excessive grip compressionstrength on the part of the using service provider. Other desirablefeatures of the speculum would include; non-vaginal wall tissue pinchingfingers, minimal-heat transfer fingers-to reduce the “cold” sensationfor the patient, or minimal electrical conductance fingers forperforming electro-surgical procedures, and further a possible lightsource for viewing the vaginal cavity with the speculum inserted intothe vagina and in the open state, in addition to a fluid communicationmedium to facilitate adding or removing fluids from the vagina.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention is an examination apparatus that includesa manually movable structure having a first selective movement from afree state to a compressed state and a second selective movement, beinga return movement from the compressed state to the free state. Alsoincluded in the examination apparatus is a plurality of fingers that aredisposed adjacent to the structure. The fingers having a stowed stateand an open state, the stowed state resulting in a nested relationshipbetween the fingers to reduce a silhouette of a leading edge profile ofthe plurality of fingers in the stowed state. With the open state of theplurality of fingers requiring a selected sequential movement of eachthe fingers to proceed from the nested and stowed state relationship tothe open state. Further included in the examination apparatus is anassemblage for moving the fingers utilizing the structure wherein thefingers are moved from the stowed state to said open state. Wherein, theassemblage for moving accommodates the selected sequential movement inproceeding from the stowed state to the open state and reversing thesequential movement in proceeding from the open state to the stowedstate for the plurality of fingers.

These and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the presentinvention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus includingthe flexible elements with the fingers in the stowed state and thestructure in the free state;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus includingthe flexible elements with the fingers in the open state and thestructure in the compressed state;

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the examination apparatusincluding the flexible elements with the fingers in the stowed state andthe structure in the free state;

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of the examination apparatusincluding the flexible elements with the fingers in the open state andthe structure in the compressed state;

FIG. 5 shows a service provider end view of the examination apparatusincluding the flexible elements with the fingers in the stowed state andthe structure in the free state;

FIG. 6 shows a service provider end view of the examination apparatusincluding the flexible elements with the fingers in the open state andthe structure in the compressed state;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus includingthe flexible elements with the fingers in the open state and thestructure in the compressed state further comprising a means for fluidcommunication and a means for light communication both adjacent to afinger;

FIG. 8 is a kinematic schematic representation of the examinationapparatus including the flexible elements, showing primarily a means formoving the fingers utilizing the structure, further the view for thesecond finger is rotated ninety degrees toward the viewer for pictorialclarity;

FIG. 9 shows a partial side elevation view of the examination apparatusincluding the flexible elements with the fingers in the stowed state andthe structure in the free state, that further comprises a detail of theselectable increasing mechanical advantage as applied to a first finger;

FIG. 10 is a section 10-10 view from FIG. 9 that further comprises adetail of the selectable increasing mechanical advantage as applied to asecond finger;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus includingthe linkages with the fingers in the stowed state and the structure inthe free state;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus includingthe linkages with the fingers in the open state and the structure in thecompressed state;

FIG. 13 shows a side elevation view of the examination apparatusincluding the linkages with the fingers in the stowed state and thestructure in the free state;

FIG. 14 shows a side elevation view of the examination apparatusincluding the linkages with the fingers in the open state and thestructure in the compressed state;

FIG. 15 shows a service provider end view of the examination apparatusincluding the linkages with the fingers in the stowed state and thestructure in the free state;

FIG. 16 shows a service provider end view of the examination apparatusincluding the linkages with the fingers in the open state and thestructure in the compressed state;

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus includingthe linkages with the fingers in the open state and the structure in thecompressed state further comprising a means for fluid communication anda means for light communication both adjacent to a finger;

FIG. 18 is a kinematic schematic representation of the examinationapparatus including the linkages, showing primarily a means for movingthe fingers utilizing the structure, further the view for the secondfinger is rotated ninety degrees toward the viewer for pictorialclarity;

FIG. 19 shows a perspective use view of the examination apparatusincluding the flexible elements with the fingers in the stowed state andthe structure in the free state, wherein a nested silhouette of thefingers in the stowed state is being inserted into an examination bodycavity cross section of a creature or patient by a service provider;

FIG. 20 shows the service providers view of the examination apparatusincluding the flexible elements with the fingers in the stowed state andthe structure in the free state, wherein a nested silhouette of thefingers in the stowed state is being inserted into an examination bodycavity of the creature or patient by a service provider;

FIG. 21 shows a perspective use view of the examination apparatusincluding the flexible elements with the fingers in the open state andthe structure in the compressed state, wherein the fingers in the openstate have expanded the examination body cavity in cross section of thecreature or patient by the service provider;

FIG. 22 shows the service providers field of view of the examinationapparatus including the flexible elements with the fingers in the openstate and the structure in the compressed state, wherein the fingers inthe open state have expanded the examination body cavity of a creatureor patient by the service provider;

FIG. 23 shows a perspective use view of the examination apparatusincluding the linkages with the fingers in the stowed state and thestructure in the free state, wherein the nested silhouette of thefingers in the stowed state is being inserted into the examination bodycavity in cross section of the creature or patient by the serviceprovider;

FIG. 24 shows the service providers view of the examination apparatusincluding the linkages with the fingers in the stowed state and thestructure in the free state, wherein the nested silhouette of thefingers in the stowed state is being inserted into the examination bodycavity of the creature or patient by the service provider;

FIG. 25 shows a perspective use view of the examination apparatusincluding the linkages with the fingers in the open state and thestructure in the compressed state, wherein the fingers in the open statehave expanded the examination body cavity in cross section of thecreature or patient by the service provider; and

FIG. 26 shows the service providers field of view of the examinationapparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the open state andthe structure in the compressed state, wherein the fingers in the openstate have expanded the examination body cavity of the creature orpatient by the service provider.

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS

-   30 Examination apparatus-   31 Examination apparatus embodiment with flexible elements 170-   32 Examination apparatus embodiment with linkages 210-   35 Manually movable structure-   36 Movable portion of the structure 35-   40 First selective movement of structure 35-   45 Free state of the structure 35-   50 Compressed state of the structure 35-   51 Second selective movement of the structure 35-   52 Return movement from the compressed state 50 to the free state 45-   55 Plurality of fingers-   56 First finger-   57 Profile of the first finger 56-   58 Second finger-   59 Sizing and configuring of second finger 58 to be disposed within    a profile 57 of the first finger 56-   60 Pivotal moment arm of each of the fingers 55-   61 Dynamic length change of the moment arm 60-   62 Selectably vary moment arm 60 length-   63 Initial selected moment arm 60 length-   64 Axis of pivotal moment arm 60-   65 Stowed state of the fingers 55-   66 Pivotal axis of the first finger 56-   67 Pivotal axis of the second finger 58-   68 Moment arm of the first finger 56-   69 Moment arm of the second finger 58-   70 Open state of the fingers 55-   71 Adjustable finger-   72 Means for adjusting finger 71-   75 Nested relationship of the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65-   80 Un-nested relationship of fingers 55-   85 Leading edge profile of the fingers 55 in the nested relationship    75-   90 Silhouette of leading edge profile 85-   95 Sequential movement of the fingers 55-   100 Initial movement by a first finger 56 of selected sequential    movement 95-   105 Further sequential movement by the second finger 58 of selected    sequential movement 95-   110 Means for moving the fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to the    open state 70-   115 Sizing and configuring of the means 110 for sequential movement    95-   120 Means for urging the second finger 58 into the stowed state 65-   121 Movement for means 120-   125 Spring for means 120 on the examination apparatus embodiment 31-   126 Spring for means 120 on the examination apparatus embodiment 32-   130 Lockable element that selectably holds the fingers 55 at a    position between the stowed state 65 and the open state 70-   131 Flexible wire rod-   132 Toothed rack for removably engaging the flexible wire rod 131-   133 Thumb nut-   134 Threaded rod for threadably engaging thumb nut 133-   135 Means for fluid communication adjacent to the fingers 55-   140 Means for light communication adjacent to the fingers 55-   145 Increasing mechanical advantage in the means 110 when moving the    fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70-   150 Opening force of fingers 55 from means 110 or mechanism 165 with    the force 150 increasing on the fingers 55 from the stowed state 65    to the open state 70-   151 Arc type movement of moment arm 60-   155 Fixed manual substantially constant force on the structure 35 in    proceeding from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70-   160 Selectable increasing mechanical advantage 145-   165 Mechanism for moving the fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to    the open state 70-   170 Plurality of flexible elements in mechanism 165-   171 Axis for the flexible elements 170-   175 Communication of movement from the movable structure 35 to the    fingers 55 that incorporates the selected sequential movement 95 in    the mechanism 165-   180 Cables for the flexible elements 170-   181 Length of each flexible element 170-   182 Selectable length 181 adjustment for each flexible element 170-   183 Cable nut for cable 180-   184 Threaded portion of cable 180 that threadably engages the cable    nut 183-   185 Adjacent position of the cable 180 to the pivotal moment arm 60    of each of the fingers 55-   186 Movement lengthwise along axis parallel to path of flexible    element 170-   190 Opposing portion of the cable 180 to the movable portion 36 of    the structure 35-   195 Sizing and configuring of the mechanism 165 for the fingers 55    to have increasing mechanical advantage in the changing moment arm    60 dynamic length 61 in the fingers proceeding from the stowed state    65 to the open state 70-   200 Selectable device to vary 62 the pivotal moment arm 60 in length    from an initial selected moment arm length 63-   201 Nut for moment arm 60-   202 Lock nut for moment arm 60-   203 Threaded portion of moment arm 60 for threadably engaging nut    201 and nut 202-   205 Assemblage for moving the fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to    the open state 70-   210 Plurality of linkages in assemblage 205-   211 Pivotal connection of linkage 210 to pivotal moment arm 60-   215 Communication of movement from the movable structure 35 to the    fingers 55 that incorporates the selected sequential movement 95 in    the assemblage 205-   220 Substantially rigid extension of the linkages 210-   225 Adjacent position of the extension 220 to the pivotal moment arm    60 of each of the fingers 55-   230 Opposing portion of the extension 220 adjacent to the movable    portion 36 of the structure 35-   235 Sizing and configuring of the assemblage 205 for the fingers 55    to have increasing mechanical advantage in the changing moment arm    60 dynamic length 61 in the fingers 55 proceeding from the stowed    state 65 to the open state 70-   240 Creature or patient-   245 Examination body cavity of creature 240 or patient 240-   250 Service provider using the examination apparatus 30, 31, or 32-   255 Retention element-   260 Field of vision

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference to FIG. 1 shown is a perspective view of theexamination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements 170 withthe fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the freestate 45. Continuing, FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the examinationapparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements 170 with the fingers55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50.Next, FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the examination apparatus 30or 31 including the flexible elements 170 with the fingers 55 in thestowed state 65 and the structure in the free state 45. FIG. 4 shows aside elevation view of the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including theflexible elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and thestructure 35 in the compressed state 50. Continuing further, FIG. 5shows a service provider 250 end view of the examination apparatus 30 or31 including the flexible elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the stowedstate 65 and the structure 35 in the free state 45 and FIG. 6 shows aservice provider 250 end view of the examination apparatus 30 or 31including the flexible elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the openstate 70 and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50.

Moving forward, FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the examinationapparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements 170 with the fingers55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50further comprising a means 135 for fluid communication and a means 140for light communication both adjacent to the finger 55. Following, FIG.8 is a kinematic schematic representation of the examination apparatus30 or 31 including the flexible elements 170, showing primarily a means110 for moving the fingers 55 utilizing the structure 35, further theview for the second finger 58 is rotated ninety degrees toward the FIG.8 viewer for pictorial clarity. Next, FIG. 9 shows a partial sideelevation view of the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including theflexible elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and thestructure 35 in the free state 45, that further comprises a detail ofthe selectable 160 increasing mechanical advantage as applied to a firstfinger 56 and FIG. 10 is a section 10-10 view from FIG. 9 that furthercomprises a detail of the selectable 160 increasing mechanical advantageas applied to a second finger 58.

Continuing, FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the examinationapparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with the fingers 55 in thestowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the free state 45 and FIG. 12shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus 30 or 32 includingthe linkages 210 with the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and thestructure 35 in the compressed state 50. Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows aside elevation view of the examination apparatus 30 or 32 including thelinkages 210 with the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and thestructure 35 in the free state 45 and FIG. 14 shows a side elevationview of the examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210with the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in thecompressed state 50. Yet further, FIG. 15 shows a service provider 250end view of the examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages210 with the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35 inthe free state 45 and FIG. 16 shows a service provider 250 end view ofthe examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with thefingers 55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in the compressedstate 50.

Moving onward, FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the examinationapparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with the fingers 55 in theopen state 70 and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50 furthercomprising a means 135 for fluid communication and a means 140 for lightcommunication both adjacent to a finger 55. Further, FIG. 18 is akinematic schematic representation of the examination apparatus 30 or 32including the linkages 210, showing primarily a means 110 for moving thefingers 55 utilizing the structure 35, further the view for the secondfinger 58 is rotated ninety degrees toward the FIG. 18 viewer forpictorial clarity. Next, FIG. 19 shows a perspective use view of theexamination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements 170 withthe fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the freestate 45, wherein a nested profile 85 silhouette 90 of the fingers 55 inthe stowed state 65 is being inserted into an examination body 240cavity 245 shown in cross section of a creature or patient 240 by aservice provider 250. Continuing, FIG. 20 shows the service providers250 view of the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexibleelements 170 with the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and thestructure 35 in the free state 45, wherein a nested profile 85silhouette 90 of the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 is being insertedinto an examination body 240 cavity 245 of the creature or patient 240by a service provider 250.

Furthermore, FIG. 21 shows a perspective use view of the examinationapparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements 170 with the fingers55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50,wherein the fingers 55 in the open state 70 have expanded theexamination body 240 cavity 245 shown in cross section of the creatureor patient 240 by the service provider 250. Further, FIG. 22 shows theservice providers 250 field of view of the examination apparatus 30 or31 including the flexible elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the openstate 70 and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50, wherein thefingers 55 in the open state 70 have expanded the examination body 240cavity 245 of a creature or patient 240 by the service provider 250.Moving ahead, FIG. 23 shows a perspective use view of the examinationapparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with the fingers 55 in thestowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the free state 45, wherein thenested profile 85 silhouette 90 of the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65is being inserted into the examination body 240 cavity 245 shown incross section of the creature or patient 240 by the service provider250.

Continuing, FIG. 24 shows the service providers 250 view of theexamination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with thefingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the free state45, wherein the nested profile 85 silhouette 90 of the fingers 55 in thestowed 65 state is being inserted into the examination body 240 cavity245 of the creature or patient 240 by the service provider 250. Further,FIG. 25 shows a perspective use view of the examination apparatus 30 or32 including the linkages 210 with the fingers 55 in the open state 70and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50, wherein the fingers 55in the open state 70 have expanded the examination body 240 cavity 245shown in cross section of the creature or patient 240 by the serviceprovider 250. Continuing onward, FIG. 26 shows the service providers 250field of view of the examination apparatus 30 or 32 including thelinkages 210 with the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and the structure35 in the compressed state 50, wherein the fingers 55 in the open state70 have expanded the examination body 240 cavity 245 of the creature orpatient 240 by the service provider 250.

Broadly the present invention as best shown in FIGS. 1 through 18 of theexamination apparatus 30, 31, and 32 includes a manually movablestructure 35 having a first selective movement 40 from a free state 45to a compressed state 50 and a second selective movement 51, being areturn movement 52 from the compressed state 50 to the free state 45.Further included in the examination apparatus 30 are the plurality offingers 55 disposed adjacent to the structure 35, the fingers 55 havinga stowed state 65 and an open state 70, the stowed state 65 having anested relationship 75 between the fingers 55 to reduce a silhouette 90of a leading edge profile 85 of the plurality of fingers 55 in thestowed state 65, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 11, 13, and 15 for thenested relationship 75. Wherein the nested relationship 75 furtherfacilitates easier insertion of the plurality of fingers 55 into thecavity 245 as best shown in FIGS. 19, 20, 23, and 24, by not requiring aprecise fit between the fingers 55, this as opposed to fingers that aresymmetrically disposed as to one another that do require a more precisefit to one another for a smooth and streamlined multiple finger bodycavity insertion profile. The open state 70 requiring a selectedsequential movement 95 of each finger 55 to one another to proceed fromthe nested relationship 75 to the open state 70.

Also included in the examination apparatus 30, 31, and 32 is the means110 for moving the fingers 55 utilizing the structure 35, wherein thefingers 55 are moved from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70, asbest shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 and in FIG. 11 to FIG. 12. Wherein themeans 110 for moving accommodates the selected sequential movement 95 inproceeding from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70 and reversingthe sequential movement 95 in proceeding from the open state 70 to thestowed state 65. Further, in the means 110 for moving the fingers 55 ispreferably sized and configured to facilitate the selected sequentialmovement 95 to include an initial movement 100 by a first finger 56 thatallows the plurality of the fingers 55 to go from the stowed state 65 ornested relationship 75 to an un-nested 80 relationship of the pluralityof fingers 55 followed by a further sequential movement 105 by a secondfinger 58 in proceeding to the open state 70, as best shown in as bestshown in going from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 and in going from FIG. 11 to FIG.12.

Furthermore on the means 110 for moving the fingers 55 can alsooptionally further include a means 120 for urging the second finger 58into the stowed state 65 through movement 121 as best shown in FIG. 10,thus operationally the means 120 can help ensure that the second finger58 is nested 75 within the first finger 56 during the reverse movementof the fingers 55 in going from the open state 70 to the stowed state65, as shown in going from FIG. 2 to FIG. 1 and in going from FIG. 12 toFIG. 11, thus the second finger 58 moves 121 to the nested relationship75 prior to the first finger 56 moving to the nested relationship 75.Further, on the means 120 for urging the second finger 58 into thestowed state 65 is preferably a spring 125 or 126 as best shown in FIGS.1 through 18. Alternatively, the means 120 could be elastomeric, atorsional spring, spiral spring, or any other equivalents foraccomplishing the aforementioned urging function.

Returning to the nesting relationship 75, of the examination apparatus30, 31, and 32, the nesting relation 75 preferably has the second finger58 being sized and configured 59 to be disposed within a profile offirst finger 56, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 11, 13, and 15, thatresults in the nested relationship 75 to form a silhouette 90 having astreamlined leading edge profile 85 for ease of insertion of the stowed65 plurality of finger 55 into the body cavity 245, as best shown inFIGS. 19 and 20 and further in FIGS. 23 and 24.

Further, as best shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and FIGS. 11 to 17 an adjustablefinger 71 can be disposed upon the structure 35 via means 72 foradjusting the finger 71. The means 72 is preferably a thumb type screwthat can allow finger 71 to move closer or further from the fingers 55in the stowed state 65 as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 11, and 13. Themeans 72 can alternatively be any other type of adjustment such as rackand pinion, snap, frictional, and the like as long as the previouslymentioned adjustability is maintained and the means 72 could withstandat least force 150 as against the involuntary movement of finger 71along its adjustment path being closer or further from the fingers 55 inthe stowed state 65 as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 11, and 13.

As an operational option the examination apparatus 30 can furthercomprise a lockable element 130 that is operational to selectively holdthe plurality of fingers 55 at a selected position between the stowedstate 65 and said open state 70, wherein the lockable element 130 isdisposed adjacent to the means 110 such that plurality of fingers 55 arelocked into a selected position that would be a fingers 55 positionbetween as best shown in going from between FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 and ingoing from between FIG. 11 to FIG. 12. The lockable element 130 ispreferably a flexible wire rod 131 that removably engages a toothed rack132 such that the wire rod 131 urges itself to be removably engaged withthe toothed rack 132 to be in a locked state, wherein the flexible wire131 can be manually disengaged from the toothed rack 132 by the serviceprovider 250 to unlock the lockable element 130 and allow the pluralityfingers 55 to move freely between the stowed state 65 and the open state70, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7. Alternatively, thelockable element 130 can be a thumb nut 133 threadably engaged to athreaded rod 134 as best shown in FIGS. 11 through 17, wherein the thumbnut 133 is manually adjusted along the rod 134 to selectively hold theplurality of fingers 55 at a selected position between the stowed state65 and said open state 70. Furthermore the lockable element 130 can beother arrangements as well that could include various clamping devicesand the like.

On the materials of construction for the examination apparatus 30, 31,or 32 the structure 35 being preferably constructed of stainless steel,however, alternatively the structure 35 can be constructed of partiallyor completely of a non-electrically conductive material such as acomposite or polymer. Further, on the structure 35 another alternativefor the materials of construction could be a non-heat transfer materialthat could also be a composite or polymer. Other materials ofconstruction could be used for the structure 35 as long as thefunctional requirements are meet of adequate strength for a manualcompression through movements 40 and 51 by the service provider 250 andbe autoclaveable for sterilization purposes. On the materials ofconstruction for the examination apparatus 30, 31 or 32 the plurality offingers 55 are preferably constructed of stainless steel, however,alternatively the fingers 55 can be constructed of partially orcompletely of a non electrically conductive material such as a compositeor polymer. Further, for the plurality of fingers 55 another alternativefor the materials of construction being constructed of partially orcompletely of a non-heat transfer material that could also be acomposite or polymer. Other materials of construction being partially orcompletely constructed of, could be used for the plurality of fingers 55as long as the functional requirements are meet of adequate strength fora expanding the body cavity 245 via manual force as exerted by themanual compression in movement 40 and 51 of the structure 35 by theservice provider 250 and also be autoclavable for sterilizationpurposes.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 17, shown is an option for adding the means 135for fluid communication positioned adjacent to any one of the pluralityof fingers 55 and the means 140 for light communication positionedadjacent to any one of the plurality of fingers 55. The means 135 forfluid communication is operational to remove or add fluids to the bodycavity 245, as shown in use in FIGS. 21 and 25 as desired for variousprocedures. The means 135 for fluid communication is preferably aflexible tube that can be disposable and removably engagable to thefingers 55 or affixed and autoclaveable, the means 135 and canoptionally be anything else that can meet the disclosed functionalrequirements. The means 140 for light communication is operational toadd light to the body cavity 245, as shown in use in FIGS. 21 and 25 asdesired for various examination procedures. The means 140 for lightcommunication is preferably a fiber optic type tube that can bedisposable and removably engagable to the fingers 55 or affixed andautoclavable, the means 140 can be optionally be anything else that canmeet the disclosed functional requirements.

A further option for the means 110 for moving the fingers 55 is sizedand configured to have an increasing mechanical advantage 145 inproceeding from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70, as best shownin FIGS. 8 and 18. Wherein the increasing mechanical advantage 145 isbetween the manually movable structure 35 and the plurality of fingers55 that is operational to increase an opening force 150 of at least oneof the plurality of fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to the openstate 70 for a substantially fixed manual force 155 on the structure 35in proceeding from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70. Focusingagain upon FIGS. 8 and 18, the increasing mechanical advantage 145occurs due to a dynamic length change 61 of the moment arm 60 as viewedas the effective distance between the pivotal axis 66 and pivotal axis67 and the flexible element 170 or linkages 210 cable adjacent portion185 or pivotal connection 211 respectively, that applies to examinationapparatus embodiments 30, 31, and 32. Looking in particular at FIG. 8for the flexible elements 170 of the examination apparatus 31, themoment arm 60 at any given static position forms a constant moment armlength between the pivot 66 and the cable attachment point 185 whenviewed perpendicular to the moment arm axis 64, however a dynamic momentarm length change 61 occurs when the moment arm 60 actively pivots aboutthe pivotal axis 66 swinging the moment arm 60 through an arc type ofmotion 151 wherein the flexible element 170 moves 186 lengthwise in ajuxtapose manner, i.e. parallel to its original position, and in thisscenario the dynamic moment arm length 61 changes by an amount equal tothe mechanical advantage distance 145 when viewed perpendicular to theflexible element 170 axis 171 as shown in length change 61 in FIG. 8.

The effect of this length change 61 is to change the finger 55 appliedforce 150 with a substantially constant amount of force 155 manuallyapplied to the structure 35, as best shown in FIG. 8 in comparing thesolid and dashed lines for two positions of the moment arm 60 and theflexible element 170. The benefit of the aforementioned length change 61or dynamic moment arm is to have the finger 55 force 150 increase forinstance as the finger 55 meets more opening force 150 resistance fromthe body cavity 245 the further the finger 55 progresses from the stowedstate 65 to the open state 70, while at the same time only requiring asubstantially constant force 155 manually placed upon the structure 35by the service provider 250. Note that this dynamic moment arm lengthchange 61 and aforementioned benefit applies equally well to the firstfinger 56 and the second finger 58 both as shown in FIG. 8, whereinbasically the primary difference between the first finger 56 and thesecond finger 58 is their respective axis of pivotal rotation 66 and 67being about ninety degrees apart, wherein the basic workings of themeans 110 is substantially the same for the first finger 56 and thesecond finger 58.

Thus as best shown in FIG. 8, the means 110 is preferably comprised ofthe structure 35 that is manually put through the first selectivemovement 40 by the service provider 250, wherein this first selectivemovement 40 translates into flexible element 170 through motion 186 thatpivotally attaches 185 to the moment arm 60 that acts through pivotalaxis 66 and 67 ultimately resulting in finger 55 force 150 for both thefirst finger 56 and the second finger 58. Typically the flexibleelements 170 are preferably cables 180 for strength, flexibility, lightweight, and the ability to be autoclaved, the preferred cables 180 areany combinations or singular material that can meet the functionalrequirements disclosed especially pertaining to accommodating force 150and autoclaving. Other ways to accomplish the means 110 would beacceptable also that could include shafting in conjunction with geardrives, or other cable/linkage arrangements that would accomplish thefunction of moving the fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to the openstate 70 and vice versa.

Looking at particular to FIGS. 9 and 10 in conjunction with FIG. 8, as afurther option on the means 110 for moving the fingers 55 can be sizedand configured to have a selectable increasing mechanical advantage 160in proceeding from the stowed state 65 to said open state 70. Whereinthe selectable increasing mechanical advantage 160 is between themanually movable structure 35 and the plurality of fingers 55 that isoperational to selectably increase an opening force 150 on at least oneof the plurality of fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to the openstate 70 for a substantially fixed manual force 155 on the structure 35in proceeding from the stowed state 65 to 70 open state.

Starting with FIG. 9, the means 110 selectable increasing advantage 160is preferably a selectable device 200 that utilizes a threaded portion203 of the moment arm that is threadably engaged to both a lock nut 202and a retaining nut 201, wherein the nuts 201 and 202 sandwich theflexible element 170, thereby facilitating a selectable change in momentarm length 62 that is operational to vary the finger 55 force 150initially from the stowed state 65 of the fingers 55 with a given manualsubstantially constant force 155 from the service provider 250 on thestructure 35 that resolves itself through the flexible element 170movement 186 with the resulting increase or decrease in moment arm 60length 62 facilitating a change in finger 55 force 150 through thefinger 55 movement from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70.Alternatives to the selectable device 200 could include a snapadjustment, a ratcheting arrangement, or any other device that couldaccomplish the selectable increasing advantage 160 that is autoclavableand can withstand the substantially constant force 155. Note that thisis distinguished from the dynamic change in moment arm length 61 that isnot due to the adjustment of the nuts 201 and 202, as the dynamic momentarm length 61 change is from the pivotal movement of the moment arm 60through movement 151 not being due to the device 200. Also, concerningFIG. 10, the same disclosure would apply as used for FIG. 9, with thedistinction being that FIG. 9 is for the first finger 56 and FIG. 10 isfor the second finger 58.

Further, another optional adjustment for the means 110 could be utilizedas is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 also, in looking specifically at the cablenut 183 that is threadably engaged to a portion 184 of the cable toallow for adjustment of the cable 180 length 181 in relation to thefinger 55 to accommodate variance in the finger 55 positions for thestowed state 65 and the open state 70 and also to allow adjustability inthe sequential movement 95 and 105 specifically for the first finger 56to un-nest 75 prior to the second finger 58 un-nesting 75 to betterfacilitate finger 55 movement from the stowed state 65 to the open state70. Focusing on FIGS. 20 and 24, the retention element 255 is shown thatis optional for retaining the examination apparatus 30, 31, or 32 to thecreature or patient 240 or to an article disposed upon the creature orpatient 240, wherein the retention element 255 has a removableengagement to the creature or patient 240.

Continuing in looking at the examination apparatus, in alternativeembodiment 32, as shown in FIGS. 11 through 18 includes a manuallymovable structure 35 having a first selective movement 40 from a freestate 45 to a compressed state 50 and a second selective movement 51,being a return movement 52 from the compressed state 50 to the freestate 45. Further included in the examination apparatus 32 are theplurality of fingers 55 disposed adjacent to the structure 35, thefingers 55 having a stowed state 65 and an open state 70, the stowedstate 65 having a nested relationship 75 between the fingers 55 toreduce a silhouette 90 of a leading edge profile 85 of the plurality offingers 55 in the stowed state 65, as best shown in FIGS. 11, 13, and 15for the nested relationship 75, wherein the nested relationship 75further facilitates easier insertion of the plurality of fingers 55 intothe cavity 245 as best shown in FIGS. 23, and 24, by not requiring aprecise fit between the fingers 55, this as opposed to fingers that aresymmetrically disposed as to one another that do require a more precisefit to one another for a smooth multiple finger body cavity insertionprofile. The open state 70 requiring a selected sequential movement 95of each finger 55 to one another to proceed from the nested relationship75 to the open state 70.

Furthermore on the means 110 for moving the fingers 55 can alsooptionally further include a means 120 for urging the second finger 58into the stowed state 65 through movement 121 as best shown in FIG. 18,thus operationally the means 120 can help ensure that the second finger58 is nested 75 within the first finger 56 during the reverse movementof the fingers 55 in going from the open state 70 to the stowed state65, as shown in going from FIG. 12 to FIG. 11 and in going from FIG. 14to FIG. 13, also in going from FIG. 16 to FIG. 15, thus the secondfinger 58 moves 121 to the nested relationship 75 prior to the firstfinger 56 moving to the nested relationship 75. Further on the means 120for urging the second finger 58 into the stowed state 65 is preferably aspring 126 as best shown in FIGS. 11 through 14 and FIG. 17.Alternatively, the means 120 could be elastomeric, a torsional spring,spiral spring, or any other equivalents for accomplishing theaforementioned urging function.

The examination apparatus embodiment 32 also includes an assemblage 205for moving the plurality of fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to theopen state 70, wherein the assemblage 205 includes a plurality oflinkages 210 that communicate movement 215 from the manually movablestructure 35 to the plurality of fingers 55 while accommodating theselected sequential movement 95 in proceeding from the stowed state 65to the open state 70 and reversing the sequential movement 95 inproceeding from the open state 70 to the stowed state 65, all as bestshown in FIGS. 11 through 17, with a schematic representation in FIG.18. Essentially the alternative embodiment 32 of the examinationapparatus replaces the flexible elements 170 of the examinationapparatus embodiment 31 with the linkages 210, wherein the fingers 55operation and structure are the same as previously described. Thus, thesequential movement 105 is built into the linkages 210 pivotalrelationship to the moment arms 60, in looking at FIG. 18, and FIGS. 11through 17, wherein the first finger 56 moves 151 initially prior to thesecond finger 58 moving 151 to allow for the stowed state 65 of thefingers 55 to un-nest 75 and proceed to the open state 70 and followingin reverse the second finger 58 has movement 151 prior toward the stowedstate 65 before the first finger 56 movement 151 toward the stowed state65 to allow for the re-nesting relationship 75.

Focusing in particular on FIG. 18 for the examination apparatus 32alternative embodiment the assemblage 205 is shown schematically formoving the fingers 55 further includes the plurality of linkages 210each being constructed a substantially rigid extension 220 that isadjacent 225 to a pivotal moment arm 60 of each of the plurality offingers 55, with the extension 220 also being adjacent to a movableportion 36 of the structure 35 on an opposing end 230 of the extension220. Wherein the assemblage 205 is sized and configured 235 to beoperational for at least one of the fingers 55 to have an increasingmechanical advantage facilitated by an effective change in a moment armlength 61 of the pivotal moment arm 60 in proceeding from the stowedstate 65 to the open state 70. Wherein the increasing mechanicaladvantage is between the manually movable structure 35 and the pluralityof fingers 55 that is operational to increase an opening force 150 on atleast one of the plurality of fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to theopen state 70 for a fixed substantially constant manual force 155 on thestructure 35 in proceeding from the stowed state 65 to the open state70. In looking closely at FIG. 18, the dynamic moment arm 61 increasecan be seen at the increasing mechanical advantage 145 from theextension 220 adjacent position 225 on the moment arm 60 in going fromthe solid line position to the dashed line position, i.e. from thestowed state 65 to the open state 70. This increasing mechanicaladvantage would apply to both the first finger 56 and the second finger58, as both are shown in FIG. 18. Thus, the increased moment arm forincreasing mechanical advantage 145 results in a greater force 150available for the finger 55 from a substantially constant force 155 asmanually applied to the structure 35 by the service provider 250, toaccommodate a high cavity 245 resistance as against the finger 55 as thefinger 55 approaches the full open state 70.

Typically the linkages 210 are preferably rigid extensions 220 forstrength, flexibility, light weight, and the ability to be autoclaved,the preferred materials of construction are stainless steel. Alternativematerials would include composites, polymers, or any other material thatmeets the needs for strength as against the manual substantiallyconstant force 155 and autoclavable.

Method of Use

Referring in particular to FIGS. 19 through 26, shown is the typical useof the examination apparatus 30, 31, or 32. As previously alluded to,the stowed state 65 with the fingers 55 nested 75 allows for thestreamlined finger 55 leading edge profile 85 to help promote the easeof multiple finger 55 insertion into the cavity 245 by the serviceprovider 250 by preferably grasping the structure 35 as best shown inFIGS. 19, 20, 23, and 24. Once inserted the examination apparatus 30,31, or 32 can have the fingers 55 proceed to the open state 70 by theservice provider 250 applying substantially constant manual force 155for the first movement 40 selectively to expand the cavity 245 of thecreature or patient 240, as best shown in FIGS. 21, 22, 25, and 26. Thefield of view 260 facilitates the service provider 250 performingobservations, doing various procedures, and the like, and as shown inFIGS. 22 and 26, the service provider 250 utilizing optional accessoriessuch as the fluid communication and/or light communication as shown inFIG. 17. Further, an optional retainer element 255, as shown in FIGS. 20and 24, can be used to help secure the examination apparatus 30, 31, or32 to the creature or patent 240 in potential situations wherein theservice provider 250 would find it difficult to maintain a firm grasp onthe structure 35, due to other tasks being performed.

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, the present invention of an examination apparatus 30, 31,or 32 has been described with some degree of particularity directed tothe embodiment(s) of the present invention. It should be appreciated,though; that the present invention is defined by the following claimsconstrued in light of the prior art so modifications or changes may bemade to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts contained therein.

1. An examination apparatus, comprising: (a) a manually movablestructure having a first selective movement from a free state to acompressed state and a second selective movement, being a returnmovement from said compressed state to said free state; (b) a pluralityof fingers disposed adjacent to said structure, said fingers having astowed state and an open state, said stowed state having a nestedrelationship between said fingers to reduce a silhouette of a leadingedge profile of said plurality of fingers in said stowed state, saidopen state requiring a sequential movement of each of said fingers toproceed from said nested relationship to said open state; and (c) ameans for moving said fingers utilizing said structure wherein saidfingers are moved from said stowed state to said open state, whereinsaid means for moving automatically accommodates said sequentialmovement in proceeding from said stowed state to said open state andreversing said sequential movement in proceeding from said open state tosaid stowed state.
 2. An examination apparatus according to claim 1wherein said means for moving said fingers is sized and configured tofacilitate said sequential movement to include an initial movement by afirst finger that allows for an un-nested relationship of said pluralityof fingers followed by a further sequential movement by a second fingerin proceeding to said open state.
 3. An examination apparatus accordingto claim 2 wherein said means for moving said fingers further includes ameans for independently urging said second finger into said stowedstate.
 4. An examination apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidnested relationship includes said second finger being sized andconfigured to be disposed within a profile of said first finger.
 5. Anexamination apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a lockableelement that is operational to selectively hold said plurality offingers at a selected position between said stowed state and said openstate.
 6. An examination apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidmeans for moving said fingers is sized and configured to have anincreasing mechanical advantage in proceeding from said stowed state tosaid open state, wherein said increasing mechanical advantage is betweensaid manually movable structure and said plurality of fingers that isoperational to increase an opening force of at least one of saidplurality of fingers from said stowed state to said open state for afixed manual force on said structure in proceeding from said stowedstate to said open state.
 7. An examination apparatus according to claim1 wherein said means for moving said fingers is sized and configured tohave a selectable increasing mechanical advantage in proceeding fromsaid stowed state to said open state, wherein said selectable increasingmechanical advantage is between said manually movable structure and saidplurality of fingers that is operational to selectably increase anopening force on at least one of said plurality of fingers from saidstowed state to said open state for a fixed manual force on saidstructure in proceeding from said stowed state to said open state.
 8. Anexamination apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising aretention element that is removably engaged between said structure and abody.
 9. An examination apparatus, comprising: (a) manually movablestructure having a first selective movement from a free state to acompressed state and a second selective movement, being a returnmovement from said compressed state to said free state; (b) a pluralityof fingers disposed adjacent to said structure, said fingers having astowed state and an open state, said stowed state having a nestedrelationship between said fingers to reduce a silhouette of a leadingedge profile of said plurality of fingers in said stowed state, saidopen state requiring a sequential movement of a first finger prior to amovement of a second finger to proceed from said nested relationship tosaid open state; (c) a means for urging said second finger automaticallyinto said stowed state; and (d) a mechanism for moving said plurality offingers utilizing said structure, wherein said fingers are moved fromsaid stowed state to said open state, wherein said mechanism includes aplurality of flexible elements that communicate movement from saidmanually movable structure to said plurality of fingers whileautomatically accommodating said sequential movement in proceeding fromsaid stowed state to said open state and reversing said sequentialmovement in proceeding from said open state to said stowed state.
 10. Anexamination apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said mechanism formoving said fingers further includes said plurality of flexible elementseach being constructed a cable that is adjacent to a pivotal moment armof each of said plurality of fingers, with said cable also beingadjacent to a movable portion of said structure on an opposing end ofsaid cable, wherein said mechanism is sized and configured to beoperational for at least one of said fingers to have an increasingmechanical advantage facilitated by an effective change in a moment armdynamic length of said pivotal moment arm in proceeding from said stowedstate to said open state, wherein said increasing mechanical advantageis between said manually movable structure and said plurality of fingersthat is operational to increase an opening force of at least one of saidplurality of fingers from said stowed state to said open state for afixed manual force on said structure in proceeding from said stowedstate to said open state.
 11. An examination apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein said mechanism for moving said fingers further includesa selectable device to vary said pivotal moment arm for a selectedinitial moment arm length for any one of said plurality of flexibleelements that is adjacent to said pivotal moment arm of each of saidplurality of fingers, wherein said selectable device is operational forany one of said fingers to have a selectably increasing mechanicaladvantage facilitated by a selected change in said selected initialmoment arm length, wherein said pivotal moment arm further has saidmoment arm dynamic length change of said pivotal moment arm inproceeding from said stowed state to said open state, wherein saidincreasing mechanical advantage is between said manually movablestructure and said plurality of fingers that is operational toselectably increase an initial opening force of one of said plurality offingers from said stowed state and further allowing for a selectableincrease in said opening force in going from said stowed state to saidopen state for said fixed manual force on said structure in proceedingfrom said stowed state to said open state.
 12. An examination apparatusaccording to claim 9 further comprising a retention element that isremovably engaged between said structure and a body.
 13. An examinationapparatus, comprising: (a) manually movable structure having a firstselective movement from a free state to a compressed state and a secondselective movement, being a return movement from said compressed stateto said free state; (b) a plurality of fingers disposed adjacent to saidstructure, said fingers having a stowed state and an open state, saidstowed state having a nested relationship between said fingers to reducea silhouette of a leading edge profile of said plurality of fingers insaid stowed state, said open state requiring a sequential movement of afirst finger prior to a movement of a second finger to proceed from saidnested relationship to said open state; (c) a means for urging saidsecond finger automatically into said stowed state; and (d) anassemblage for moving said plurality of fingers from said stowed stateto said open state, wherein said assemblage includes a plurality oflinkages that communicate movement from said manually movable structureto said plurality of fingers while automatically accommodating saidsequential movement in proceeding from said stowed state to said openstate and reversing said sequential movement in proceeding from saidopen state to said stowed state.
 14. An examination apparatus accordingto claim 13 wherein said assemblage for moving said fingers furtherincludes said plurality of linkages each being constructed asubstantially rigid extension that is adjacent to a pivotal moment armof each of said plurality of fingers, with said extension also beingadjacent to a movable portion of said structure on an opposing end ofsaid extension, wherein said assemblage is sized and configured to beoperational for at least one of said fingers to have an increasingmechanical advantage facilitated by an effective change in a moment armlength of said pivotal moment arm in proceeding from said stowed stateto said open state, wherein said increasing mechanical advantage isbetween said manually movable structure and said plurality of fingersthat is operational to increase an opening force on at least one of saidplurality of fingers from said stowed state to said open state for afixed manual force on said structure in proceeding from said stowedstate to said open state.